Kelly-Marie Staunton

BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management

After securing a first-class degree in International Hospitality Management, Kelly-Marie Staunton has landed an exciting role as a trainee manager for the global hotel giant Marriott, in China.

Previously working as a supervisor at The Daffodil Hotel and Spa in Ambleside, an executive lounge host at the Hilton Hotel on Manchester’s Deansgate and a front desk agent at Blackpool’s Hilton Hotel simultaneously, Kelly-Marie worked seven days a week whilst studying at University.

Kelly-Marie’s hard work and determination was recognised after she won a number of hospitality awards. She was presented with the Marriott Hospitality Prize 2017 and claimed three Student Employee of the Year awards at institution, regional and national level.

The final year of Kelly-Marie’s course was spent in Nashville, in the United States of America. Kelly-Marie said: “I really enjoyed my year abroad and was interested to see how hospitality was conducted over there.

“My degree has grown my confidence to interact with various people, and other cultures from the across the world. It has also challenged my abilities to pursue further education, and to work internationally.”